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    About this Episode

    Introduction:
    In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, the documentary 'Coded Bias,' directed by Shalini Kantayya, serves as a crucial eye-opener. Released in 2020, the film uncovers the unsettling truth about biases present in AI systems and automated decision-making technologies, focusing on facial recognition as a prime example. By following the research of Joy Buolamwini, a computer scientist at the MIT Media Lab, the documentary delves into the world of algorithms and raises vital questions about the ethical implications of biased AI systems.

    The Bias Beneath the Surface:
    Joy Buolamwini's groundbreaking research revealed that facial recognition technology is plagued by racial and gender biases, which can lead to discrimination and perpetuate existing inequalities in society. As the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, Buolamwini is a strong advocate for transparency and accountability in AI systems. 'Coded Bias' takes the audience on a journey that exposes the far-reaching consequences of such biases, touching upon various aspects of daily life, from employment and education to the criminal justice system.

    A Call for Action:
    Through interviews with researchers, activists, and experts, 'Coded Bias' highlights the ethical concerns surrounding AI technologies and emphasizes the urgent need for regulation and oversight. The documentary serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the potential harms that can arise when unchecked biases infiltrate AI systems. It calls for a collective effort to address these issues and create a more equitable future for all.

    Conclusion:
    'Coded Bias' is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that urges us to reevaluate our relationship with technology. By shedding light on the hidden biases in AI systems, it fosters important conversations about the role of technology in society and the potential risks that come with unregulated AI. As we continue to integrate AI into our lives, it is crucial that we remain vigilant in our pursuit of ethical and unbiased technological advancements. 'Coded Bias' is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the societal consequences of biased AI and the steps we need to take to ensure a more equitable world.

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, Superheroine, Podcaster:

    Recent Episodes from The Everyday Heroine

    Victim Suspect Must-Watch Movie Review - EP 090

    Victim Suspect Must-Watch Movie Review - EP 090

    The women in this movie are some of the bravest women I have seen in a very long time! The ending is the best as two women take back their power and do what they need to do to leave the world better than they found it. Especially after the triple and quadruple victim syndromes that popped up just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse.

    As difficult as it is to know the truth, I give this movie a must-watch for The Everyday Heroine! Watch the movie, learn for yourself, and stay informed for the greater good. 

    https://www.netflix.com/title/81288561

    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24079788/

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, Superheroine, Podcaster:


    The Everyday Heroine
    en-usJune 05, 2023

    Dancing with Data on the Rise to Hi-Tech SuperHeroine - EP 089

    Dancing with Data on the Rise to Hi-Tech SuperHeroine - EP 089

    Dancing with Data on the Rise to Hi-Tech SuperHeroine is a discussion with Anubha Maithani about Women's Leadership.

    This is a guest interview with Anubha Maithani from The Everyday Heroine Show discussing 'Data-Driven Dreams from Small-Town Girl to Hi-Tech Superheroine'. 

    Anubha is a true small-town girl with big dreams. With 10 years of experience as a data analyst, she has a talent for turning complex data sets into actionable insights that help businesses make informed decisions. 

    Anubha is passionate about empowering businesses through the use of data storytelling and has a natural knack for transforming data into meaningful stories. 

    She is also a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion, as well as women's empowerment. Anubha is the founder of the "Mothers in Tech" group on LinkedIn. She is a mentor and ambassador for women in tech groups and a mentor/coach for university students seeking career guidance. 

    Outside of work, Anubha has a love for dancing and cooking. She's even started a food blog on Instagram that features quick and easy recipes. 

    Currently, she's learning the art of creating charcuterie boards! Anubha is a true superheroine, empowering mothers and raising important issues surrounding flexible working for working parents. 

    Her dedication to making a positive impact in the world is truly inspiring!

    Join us as we discuss women's leadership with Anubha Maithani in 'Data-Driven Dreams from Small-Town Girl to Hi-Tech Superheroine'.

    Connect with Anubha and Connecting Mothers in Tech here!

    Schedule time with Anubha here for an extra special empowerment treat!

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, Superheroine, Podcaster:

    Coded Bias Movie Review - EP 088

    Coded Bias Movie Review - EP 088

    Introduction:
    In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, the documentary 'Coded Bias,' directed by Shalini Kantayya, serves as a crucial eye-opener. Released in 2020, the film uncovers the unsettling truth about biases present in AI systems and automated decision-making technologies, focusing on facial recognition as a prime example. By following the research of Joy Buolamwini, a computer scientist at the MIT Media Lab, the documentary delves into the world of algorithms and raises vital questions about the ethical implications of biased AI systems.

    The Bias Beneath the Surface:
    Joy Buolamwini's groundbreaking research revealed that facial recognition technology is plagued by racial and gender biases, which can lead to discrimination and perpetuate existing inequalities in society. As the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, Buolamwini is a strong advocate for transparency and accountability in AI systems. 'Coded Bias' takes the audience on a journey that exposes the far-reaching consequences of such biases, touching upon various aspects of daily life, from employment and education to the criminal justice system.

    A Call for Action:
    Through interviews with researchers, activists, and experts, 'Coded Bias' highlights the ethical concerns surrounding AI technologies and emphasizes the urgent need for regulation and oversight. The documentary serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the potential harms that can arise when unchecked biases infiltrate AI systems. It calls for a collective effort to address these issues and create a more equitable future for all.

    Conclusion:
    'Coded Bias' is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that urges us to reevaluate our relationship with technology. By shedding light on the hidden biases in AI systems, it fosters important conversations about the role of technology in society and the potential risks that come with unregulated AI. As we continue to integrate AI into our lives, it is crucial that we remain vigilant in our pursuit of ethical and unbiased technological advancements. 'Coded Bias' is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the societal consequences of biased AI and the steps we need to take to ensure a more equitable world.

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, Superheroine, Podcaster:

    From Stressed to Happiness Movie Review & Easter Message - EP 087

    From Stressed to Happiness Movie Review & Easter Message - EP 087

    Today I am doing a movie review because it fits the intention behind the spring season. The movie is From Stress to Happiness which I recently watched on Netflix. 

    It is a documentary that explores the journey to achieving happiness and well-being through the teachings of Matthieu Ricard. Matthieu is a well-known Buddhist monk, author, and speaker. 

    In the film, they say that Matthieu is known as the "happiest man in the world,"! He briefly talks to a talk show host about the science that measured him so that they could claim this to be true. 

    Credit is given to Dr. Tania Singer for her work as a social neuroscientist, psychologist, and world expert on empathy. 

    One of my favorite parts in this film is when Matthieu and Alejandro De Grazia are walking through nature Alejandro looks miserable and is talking as if he is stressed out. 

    During his nature walks with Matthieu, he is complaining about the weather while it is raining. Matthieu appears to be in his bliss and he is about 20 feet away from Alejandro which implies that happiness has nothing to do with your environment. 

    Watch the film and let me know what you think!

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, Superheroine, Podcaster:

    The Power of Data: How Gender Bias Impacts Our World

    The Power of Data: How Gender Bias Impacts Our World

    Discover more about this book, here!

    To be a guest on the show, go here

    Introduction:

    • Welcome to another episode of The Everyday Heroine. Today, I will be doing a book review of one of the most important books I’ve read in the past few years, "Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men" by Caroline Criado Perez, which is narrated by Caroline herself in the audible version.

    About the Book:

    • The book starts with a bold statement, "Most of recorded human history is one big data gap," which the author backs up with examples throughout the book.
    • The introduction titled "The Default Male" highlights how history has failed to account for half of humanity and how gaps in data corrupt our understanding of ourselves.
    • The statement is fitting for our current state of humanity and the ongoing gender wars.
    • The host shares her personal experience of being a woman in a male-dominated industry for three decades and how she struggled to be herself.
    • Before reading the book, the host believed that the reason it was hard for her to be herself was due to a lack of role models. The book changed her perspective.
    • The stories shared in the book are refreshing and make the host feel understood and part of a special sisterhood.
    • The book presents an overwhelming amount of data and statistics, which can be a warning for some listeners.
    • The host acknowledges that the data was hard-hitting. It woke her up to the fact that being an empowered woman and a role model for others is essential.
    • The book made her laugh out loud at times and made her feel more informed, validated, and relevant to humanity.

    Conclusion:

    • The author sums up the impact of the data gap. It affects our health, wellness, and progress. She suggests that we need more women in every career for more joy and prosperity.
    • The host agrees with her own statement. Advancing a woman's career is the single most powerful and strategic way to empower women, save the planet, and bring more happiness to the world.
    • The host recommends reading the book and invites listeners to share their thoughts or be a guest on the show.

    Outro:

    • Thank you for listening to The Everyday Heroine. Don't forget to check out the show notes for links to the book.

    Invisible Women Inspires Massive Career Growth is a highly suggested must-read book review.

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, Superheroine, Podcaster:

    Guest Interview with Dr Mimi Tam - EP 085

    Guest Interview with Dr Mimi Tam - EP 085

    Guest interview with Dr. Mimi Tam discusses Insights from an Influential Career in Telecommunications from Coffee Time with Kauffman.

    Dr. Mimi Tam has over 35 years of experience in the Telecom engineering/protocol space. 

    Recently she held the role of CTO of Ericsson Wireless Office at Ericsson. She is currently the Sr Director of Engineering of the Private Cellular Network Project at Cradlepoint/Ericsson. 

    Mimi has over 25 years of participating in standards bodies such as ITU-T, ETSI, IEEE, IETF, WiMax Forum, and more. Mimi is a Senior Member & Past President of the Society of Women Engineers. 

    Dr. Mimi Tam is a visionary and she is a woman with influence on the prioritization for North American research, development, and deployment of 6G.

    Guest interview with Dr. Mimi Tam discusses Insights from an Influential Career in Telecommunications from Coffee Time with Kauffman.

    Join us as we talk about women's leadership and what women are capable of!

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, SuperHeroine, Podcaster

    For access to the full blog posts go here.

    Discover more about Maria Kauffman by going here.

    Schedule a Discovery Call to be a guest on the show here!

    Guest Interview with Casandra (Marci) Lozano - EP 084

    Guest Interview with Casandra (Marci) Lozano - EP 084

    Guest Interview with Casandra (Marci) Lozano discussing women's leadership from Coffee Time with Kauffman.

    Marci is an experienced Design Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the automotive industry. She is skilled in analysis, six sigma (quality design and process improvement), and management. 

    Marci is a strong engineering professional with a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of North Texas. 

    Currently, she is pursuing an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

    Join us as we talk about women's leadership and what women are capable of!

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, SuperHeroine, Podcaster

    For access to the full blog posts go here.

    Discover more about Maria Kauffman by going here.

    Schedule a Discovery Call to be a guest on the show here!

    Guest Interview with Aisling Guilfoyle - EP 083

    Guest Interview with Aisling Guilfoyle - EP 083

    Guest Interview with Aisling Guilfoyle discussing Engineering - The Common Language We All Speak from Coffee Time with Kauffman.

    Aisling is Civil Engineer with over 11 years of experience. Her early career started as a site engineer on a construction site. 

    After this, Aisling digressed into wet utility design, bringing with her the site knowledge to develop constructible designs. She joined Hyder Consulting (now Arcadis) based in Qatar in 2013 where she was involved in various utility infrastructure projects.

    From there, she joined WSP (UAE) in 2014 where she continued to grow within the wet utility design team. 

    In her current role, she provides both technical and management advice associated with wet utility design in urban development and infrastructure. 

    In addition to her technical role, she has a long list of leadership skills, particularly in the project management realm.

    She is an assertive individual who works well in a team and on her own. 

    She was heavily involved with WSP initiatives such as the Early Career Leadership program, Taskforce, and Professional Registration development campaign. She also was the Middle East representative of Engineers Without Borders for WSP. 

    After 5 years in her role in WSP, she embarked on a role with Atkins Middle East, where she is now part of a highly driven and ambitious team, working on mega projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE. 

    She moved on to Project Engineer for the Design and Build project for Atkins, in collaboration with ASGC where they are delivering a landmark Marsa Al Arab a Luxury Hotel in the shadow of the iconic Burj Al Arab. 

    Currently, she is now back at WSP as a Project Manager for the Property and Buildings Department.

    Aisling is the Award winner for the Next-Gen Woman of the Year 2021 ~ Middle East, Africa & South Asia and The Big 5's Women In Construction Awards.

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, SuperHeroine, Podcaster

    For access to the full blog posts go here.

    Discover more about Maria Kauffman by going here.

    Schedule a Discovery Call to be a guest on the show here!

    Guest Interview with Mounika Vanka - EP 082

    Guest Interview with Mounika Vanka - EP 082

    Cultivating Curiosity, Compassion, and Community: My Journey - Coffee Time with Kauffman guest interview with Mounika Vanka

    Mounkia is a Biomedical Engineer by profession and a graduate of Duke University. And, Yes! She is a huge basketball fan!

    As a proud woman engineer in the tech field, she strives to encourage, motivate and inspire fellow women to join the industry.

    Her strong adherence to diversity and inclusion in the workplace has also led her to be part of multiple organizations that focus on supporting and helping underrepresented groups.

    In her spare time, she enjoys the fun and challenges that come with activities like escape rooms, painting, playing sports (particularly tennis), being outside, and traveling.

    Mounika is a true Everyday Heroine because she wants to leave the world better than she found it!

    Join us for a comfortable conversation about women's leadership!

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, SuperHeroine, Podcaster

    For access to the full blog posts go here.

    Discover more about Maria Kauffman by going here.

    Enjoy your adventures and journey responsibly!

    Guest Interview with Maya Love - EP 081

    Guest Interview with Maya Love - EP 081

    A Guide to Women’s Leadership for Community Building with Data Science - Coffee Time with Kauffman guest interview with Maya Love

    Maya Love is an athlete and a committed data professional dedicated to amplifying hidden voices and organizational impact using statistics, data science, and data engineering.

    Maya has excellent critical thinking skills.

    She is poised under pressure.

    And, she is skillful at moving stakeholders from ideation to execution which translates into monetary impact.

    Her long-term career goals include building data systems that empower communities.

    Join us for a comfortable conversation about women's leadership!

    Contact Maya Love on LinkedIn here...

    Maria Kauffman - Engineer, SuperHeroine, Podcaster

    For access to the full blog posts go here.

    Discover more about Maria Kauffman by going here.

    Enjoy your adventures and journey responsibly!